Good morning, Bellingham.

Amber Klein, who has two sons with autism, helped start the Whatcom County Autism Walk with two other local mothers and a special education teacher— the walk will be held from 3-5 p.m. on Aug.

2 at Nooksack Valley High School. This event is designed to support families affected by autism.

A 57-year-old Oak Harbor man, Andres Venegas Hernandez, was arrested on July 16 when police found cocaine + packaged heroin and nearly 5,000 suspected fentanyl pills at his home, and officials said more arrests were likely.

Four U.S. citizen children were released from an ICE facility in Ferndale after more than two weeks of detention with their mother at the Peace Arch border crossing on June 28—she remains in federal custody in Tacoma, has lived in the U.S. for 20 years and holds a valid work permit amid allegations of smuggling people over the border.

Police named Terry Bowman, the boyfriend of missing Lummi Nation elder Besalynn James, aged 62, as a person of interest after she was last seen on Jan.

21 near her home on Balch Road—Bowman has been interviewed by tribal police and the FBI.

The Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office raised the fire danger level to very high today due to hot, dry conditions in the lowlands of western Whatcom and Skagit counties—residents remain under a heat advisory until 8:00 p.m. as a result.

Elevated levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins were detected near Birch Bay, so recreational shellfish harvesting is now closed from Sandy Point to Point Roberts—shellfish cannot be cooked or frozen to remove the toxins and may cause numbness, loss of muscle control, and breathing problems if consumed. Recreational harvesters must check the state's shellfish closure map before they head out to dig.

Whatcom County is hosting weekend events including the Northwest Raspberry Festival in Lynden that starts today at 9 a.m. with the Curt Maberry Memorial Basketball Tournament, Ferndale PRIDE Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, and Sunnyland Stomp in Bellingham featuring a chicken race at noon on Saturday—Mount Baker Theatre is offering early season ticket sales starting July 16 and a triple-band concert is set for July 24, while local venues host live music shows with the Alain Johannes Band on Friday at 9 p.m. and Jackie Venson on Saturday at 8 p.m.

Vietnam Veterans Car Show

10 a.m. - 3 p.m. — Barkley Village Green — Free admission — Celebrate veterans with a showcase of classic cars and community camaraderie.

Bad Posture Club's Album Release Show

8-10 p.m. — New Prospect Theatre — Cost info not provided — Celebrate the release of Affinity with the enchanting sounds of Bad Posture Club and special guests.

Blues, Brews & BBQ featuring The Atlantics

5-9 p.m. — Hotel Bellwether — Alcohol not included in ticket price — Enjoy live Rhythm & Blues and BBQ with stunning waterfront views.

Ian's Ride: A Journey to Joy with Ian MacKay & Karen Polinsky

6-7 p.m. — Village Books and Paper Dreams — Free entry — Explore the inspiring biography of a quadriplegic athlete who found healing through nature and community.

PawArty Paint & Sip Party

12-1:30 p.m. — Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro — $20 (+fees) — Unleash your creativity while supporting local shelter animals with a fun afternoon of painting and sipping.

Soccer Summer Camp in Bellingham

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. — Phillips 66 Soccer Park — Registration required — Learn soccer skills from Real Madrid Foundation coaches while making new friends.

Intro to the Laser Cutter Workshop

4-6 p.m. — Bellingham Makerspace — Class fees apply — Learn to safely operate a powerful laser cutter and create your own acrylic keychain.

The D’vas and Dudes Performance

5-8 p.m. — Skylarks Cafe — Cost info not provided — Enjoy an eclectic mix of danceable tunes blending rock, country, blues, and boogie woogie.

Steve Von Till Live Performance

7 PM — Structures Brewing — $31.09 — Experience intimate solo performances from iconic musicians of the heavy underground.

Insights for Farmer-Parents with Katie Kulla

2-3 p.m. — Village Books and Paper Dreams — Free entry — Discover parenting strategies from an author-farmer and engage with insights for balancing family life on the farm.